The battle for back row places is intense... so who’ll Pivac opt for?
IT was the age old dilemma for kids up and down the land on Christmas Day – which present to play with first?
Wales coach Wayne Pivac now faces a similarly welcome headache of his own as the new year beckons.
Which back row should he try out first in the Six Nations?
We’ve often talked about Wales’ embarrassment of riches in that department, especially on the flanks.
Now that’s the case more than ever ahead of the defence of the Grand Slam, with tried and trusted performers returning from injuries and a host of new kids arriving on the block.
In fact, you can put together a full XV of realistic contenders for back row berths.
The challenge facing Pivac is first to decide on his five or six breakaways for the Championship squad and then the starting unit for the opening game against Italy.
Rugby correspondent SIMON THOMAS surveys the options, looking at the health of the respective candidates and the strengths they bring to the table...
Taulupe Faletau
Age: 29 Caps: 72
Health check: It’s been a nightmarish 18 months for the Lions No 8 on the injury front, with two arm fractures followed by a broken collar bone which ruled him out of the World Cup.
But after 11 months on the sidelines, he finally returned to action for Bath in Saturday’s victory over Sale and played the full 80 minutes.
Strengths: Well, he’s just a world class player, isn’t he?
Prior to his long lay-off, he was near the top of the carrying and tackling charts for Wales virtually every game, with his consistency something to behold. One of those players who excels in the unseen moments, as well as the big ones.
Josh Navidi
Age: 29 Caps: 23
Health check: After tearing his hamstring in the World Cup quarter-final against France, Navidi sat out the next two months before making his comeback for Cardiff Blues in the Boxing Day meeting with the Dragons. It was as if he’d never been away.
Strengths: Lots of back rowers are versatile, but few are genuinely international class at 6, 7 and 8. Navidi is just such a player. He has the dominant defence of a blindside, the scavenging of an openside and the carrying of a No 8, while his clearing out at the contact area is so important, as was confirmed in his absence during the World Cup semi-final.
Justin Tipuric
Age: 30 Caps: 72
Health check: Having started all but one of Wales’ matches at the World Cup, the Ospreys openside was given the full six weeks off either side of the Barbarians game as his player welfare break. Now has two regional outings under his belt. Strengths: There were signs in the Baa-Baas match that Tipuric could be a key figure in Wayne’s World with his footballing and linking ability making him such an asset in the wide game Pivac and Stephen Jones appear keen to play. Few forwards offer more in those wider channels.
Aaron Wainwright
Age: 22 Caps: 18
Health check: Another man who played in six of Wales’ seven World Cup matches, but he returned to regional duties a bit sooner and has started the last four games for the Dragons on the back of facing the Barbarians, so well up to speed. Strengths: Has been the real back row find for Wales of the past 18 months, displaying the dynamism and fearlessness of youth, taking each new challenge in his stride, be it at 6 or 8. Has a great engine, a strong upper body, an athletic lineout leap, a ranging stride and huge work-rate.
Ross Moriarty
Age: 25 Caps: 41
Health check: Went through a tough time following the World Cup, losing a stone in weight having been struck down by illness when a cut got infected. Returned in the Christmas derbies, but had his leg strapped up after coming off against the Blues on Boxing Day. Strengths: You sense Dragons director of rugby Dean Ryan sees something of himself in Moriarty from the way he sung his praises after the Scarlets game and his combative nature, both in the tackle and with ball in hand, does remind you of the former England back rower.
Aaron Shingler
Age: 32 Caps: 26 Health check: It’s great to see
Shingler fit and firing again after recovering from the major knee injury he feared might end his career and which kept him out for 15 months ahead of the World Cup.
Strengths: He was Wales’ go-to man at the lineout during the 2017-18 season and that remains a key part of his game, while his athleticism also comes to the fore in the loose and he was a real pain in the side of the Ospreys on Boxing Day. Blindside is his prime position, although he can also offer valuable second row cover.
Ollie Griffiths
Age: 24 Caps: 1
Health check: It’s become a frustratingly familiar story. Man of the Match, injured; Man of the Match; injured. Once again, he’s sidelined at present, with a leg problem keeping him out of the first two Christmas derbies. Strengths: Equally adept in all three back row berths, it’s his powerful carrying that really stands out, but he’s also a physical presence over the ball and in the tackle. Shines just about every time he takes the field for the Dragons.
James Davies
Age: 29 Caps: 8
Health check: Yet to reappear following his time at the World Cup in Japan, as he deals with on-going back problems. The hope is he may be available for the Challenge Cup clash with London Irish on January 18. Strengths: A breakdown burglar. Averages close on two turnovers a game during the course of his Scarlets career, while his Sevens experience and pace make him such a threat in open play, both as a carrier and a support act out wide.
Shane Lewis-Hughes
Age: 22 Caps: 0
Health check: The rudest of health. Has figured in all 13 of Cardiff Blues’ matches this season and shows no sign of wilting with his ceaseless endeavour on the blindside flank.
Strengths: There’s something of a young Dan Lydiate about him with his defensive demolition work, while he is also developing his game over the ball and his support play. Has a steely-eyed focus and dedication to his trade and an absolute determination to be the best he can be.
Taine Basham
Age: 20 Caps: 0
Health check: Had a week off through suspension following his controversial sending off at
Worcester, but aside from that he’s played every game for the Dragons this season, either on the flank or at No 8. Oh the exuberance of youth. Strengths: Quick feet and a quick rugby brain. In a land of forward giants, he’s relatively small at 6ft and 14st 13lbs, but he punches way above his weight with his aggressive tackling, his dynamic carrying and his strength over the ball. Basham by name...
Ellis Jenkins
Age: 26 Caps: 11
Health check: Initially the hope was Jenkins might return for the Blues during the Christmas derbies, then mid-January was mentioned and it could well be later again now, which goes to show just how serious the damage was to his knee from that game against South Africa 13 months ago.
Strengths: It’s such a shame he picked up that horrendous injury when he did because he was at the absolute peak of his powers at the time, with his pilfering presence at the breakdown and his intelligent work in the loose, as well as his leadership qualities.
Thomas Young
Age: 27 Caps: 3
Health checks: Underwent foot and ankle surgery at the end of last season and then saw his return delayed by a calf concern in the autumn. But finally made his comeback for Wasps at the beginning of this month and now has four games under his belt. Strengths: Has been one of the most consistent opensides in the English Premiership over the last three or four years, with his astute defensive work, his serial jackaling, his strong carrying in the tight and his pace across the turf.
Josh Macleod
Age: 23 Caps: 0
Health check: Has put in a big shift for the Scarlets this season, rising to the openside challenge in the absence of James Davies. Strengths: Outstanding over the ball, as he demonstrated once again on Boxing Day when he won the battle of the breakdown against the Ospreys hands down, and he’s also a strong carrier. His all-round game is steadily growing.
Will Boyde
Age: 25 Caps: 0
Health check: Spent six weeks unemployed after being released by the Scarlets earlier this year and was facing the prospect of going back to being a butcher for a living. Has now figured in all but one of the Blues’ games this season and has captained the region.
Strengths: Covers the entire back row and shows total commitment, both as a carrier and a tackler, while also pulling off a hat full of turnovers, putting his body on the line time and again.
Dan Lydiate
Age: 32 Caps: 64
Health check: Having forced his way back into the Wales team during the 2018 autumn internationals, he picked up an elbow problem that was to keep him sidelined for five months. Back fit again now with nine appearances so far this season.
Strengths: Established himself as one of the best defensive blindsides in world rugby during his peak years and offers bags of experience, plus an undiminished desire to play for his country once more.